For many years children playing make-believe pretended they were fighting off foes behind the wooden walls of Fort Wildwood.

None of them imagined their mighty fortress would some day be destroyed by bulldozers.

Over time the park district allowed the play area built in the mid-'60s to become dilapidated. It was closed off several years ago because it no longer met playground safety standards.

The areas where a child might fall were unsafe for landing. There was also a problem with splinters. In January, the CRPD cleared away the landmark to build a picnic area, according to parks and planning administrator Tom Hare.

The builder who developed the Wildwood area erected the fort to attract potential homebuyers, Hare said.

The area was once a place full of adventure for children. Classic TV westerns such as "The Rifleman" were shot there. Children would ride their bikes from all around town to play there when they were filming. The fort became a safer place to play and served as such for about 40 years.

The parks department knew residents had different ideas about what to do with the newly vacant fort area, including letting the land go back to its natural state and rebuilding the fort, Hare said.

After much consideration, the CRPD decided to replicate the fort's entry using some of its old hardware, pour concrete over the 30-by-34-foot space and put some picnic tables there, Hare said.

But first they had a meeting with about 50 nearby residents and listened to their ideas.

"I'm hoping they capture the spirit of the Wildwood Fort with the natural surroundings—we have a jewel here," Vince Vlasic said.

To do that they must keep it natural with no concrete slab, add grading and fencing to prevent erosion, and create a proper memorial to the fort, he said.

His wife, Polly Vlasic, hopes they open up the design to "the many talented people who live in Thousand Oaks." She'd like to see a competition that would bring out the creativity needed to replace the beloved fort, she said.

Hare said the CRPD staff is putting together a proposal to present to the board at its Thurs., March 26 meeting that begins at 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to attended and speak during that meeting at 403 W. Hillcrest Drive.